View Full Version : Another Medical Query
Healy9
31st Oct 2006, 17:11
Hi, just another wanabee new to the forum so Good Evening.
About three years ago my GP found a heart murmur while checking for a chest infection. I later went to a specialist who specialises in this field and underwent tests such as an ECG. He told me that it was a very slight one probably caused as a child and when I asked if the RAF can still be achieved he confirmed it can. I then rang the RAF careers office who confirmed it is not a complete ban on aircrew but the severity will be measured and that is the factor that could stop me. The reason why I entered this forum rather hastily is because I know the RAF's medical can be a bit ''tough'' and anything that could prevent me needs to be noted.
Kind Regards
Mav
GipsyMagpie
1st Nov 2006, 20:27
Basically, you'll never know til you try. Aim high on the wall and you might just miss wetting your feet.
Plenty of us around with heart murmurs, including me. Go for it!
Of course, I could have a heart attack at any mo..................
Healy9
2nd Nov 2006, 09:58
Yes it was picked up by a stethosope and I did see a cardioligist who made me undergo an ultrasound and ECG(not much medical knowledge).
Whether its benign or not I'm not sure but I did undergo these tests and he did say the RAF would be perfectly fine.:ok:
Good to hear of a military pilot with one as I thought from reading other posts any infrequency found on an ECG could ground someone.
MAD Boom
2nd Nov 2006, 11:53
Don't give up fella!!
I am a WSOp, and collapsed on initial training for what was described above as a 'floppy heart valve', which caused a murmur. I thought my career was over before it had begun, but it was diagnosed as benign, and I was free to continue as aircrew.
If your GP has described it as such, then chances are OASC doctors will do the same, and you should be free to continue in the process.
How does this apply to your application as a pilot I hear you ask? Well, since then I have applied for pilot twice, and have been medically screened each time, with no problems found. (I'm just a biff at the rest of the OASC process, hence still flying around in the back of the jet!!)
As someone has said above, keep the application going and you'll soon see what they find - hopefully it will all be good!! :ok:
Healy9
2nd Nov 2006, 12:42
In the words of the cardiologist ''its is a very minor one and the RAF is still possible.'' I assume this must mean its benign.
RobinXe
2nd Nov 2006, 21:35
Personally I wouldn't even mention it. Lots of kids have 'murmers' which they grow out of with zero lasting effects. If it's relevant it will be picked up at your medical, if not, why make a rod for your own back?
Mir999
4th Nov 2006, 12:53
Murmurs exist commonly in the population. Providing you have had an echocardiogram (which you have) and it was fine, then it shouldn't cause you any hassle at all.
Most medicals will probably miss it -if you have a quiet murmur. At worst - if it is picked up on your medical then they will probably arrange another echo to check it is of no consequence then write it off.
If your previous cardiologist didn't arrange to see you again or refer you on then this is a 'benign' murmur (although benign usually added to growths / tumours rather than murmurs, but in the wider sense it is appropriate)
Good luck...